Trade news: Team unlikely to move Qualls, more

DENVER - When Felipe Lopez was speaking with a reporter over the weekend, a teammate interjected.

"So Felipe, where you getting traded to?" he asked.

For a team well out of contention, talking trade is a popular pastime in the Diamondbacks clubhouse, with players speculating nearly as much as reporters.

"Guys are curious," manager A.J. Hinch said. "There's so many rumors, so many hot topics, and everyone's an expert. I think our communication is very good with our players. They know they can come to me or go to (General Manager) Josh (Byrnes) when they have concerns."

After the Lopez trade, Byrnes was asked if he envisions more moves.

"I don't know," Byrnes said. "As always, a lot of discussion. We have an idea of what it would require for us to make additional trades. If we don't feel like we're getting that value, we're not going to make the trade."

The player attracting the most attention remains closer Chad Qualls. A team source said nearly half of baseball has inquired about him with some degree of interest.

But the Diamondbacks still seem unlikely to move Qualls, who can't become a free agent until after next season. Their asking price: a starting pitching prospect.

Short hops

Right-hander Roque Mercedes, the bullpen prospect considered the key to the Lopez deal, was assigned to Double-A Mobile. Mercedes posted a 1.08 ERA in 29 games in Class A. Outfielder Cole Gillespie, who hit .242 in 236 at-bats in Triple-A, was assigned to Reno.

• It appears the Diamondbacks no longer have interest in pursuing infielder Julio Lugo, who was designated for assignment by the Red Sox last week.

Arizona Diamondbacks Chad Qualls pitches in relief against the Florida Marlins at Chase Field in Phoenix earlier this month. Several teams reportedly are interesting in acquiring the closer in a trade.

Scherzer ended his first half with a solid stretch of seven starts. In that span, he did not allow more than three earned runs in a game, posting a 2.57 ERA in 42 innings with 40 strikeouts. . . . Scherzer faced the Rockies on July 3, a game better remembered for what happened afterward, as 3B Mark Reynolds made critical comments about his team's sloppy play. Scherzer has made two starts against the Rockies in his career, going 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 12 innings. . . . C Chris Iannetta is 3 for 5 with a home run vs. Scherzer. . . . Cook faced the Diamondbacks on July 4, giving up three runs (two earned) in five innings. He is 5-4 with a 5.45 ERA career vs. Arizona. . . . He has been pitching well lately, posting a 2.56 ERA in his past eight starts. . . . 1B Chad Tracy is 20 for 37 (.541) with eight doubles vs. Cook.